Awareness on Healthy Dietary Habits among Prospective

Awareness on the dietary habits	Low		Average
High
N	%	N	%		N	%
57	22.80	141	56.40		52	20.80

Figure.1 showing the percentage level of the awareness on healthy dietary habits among prospective teachers in Tirunelveli district.


Interpretation of table-1.
It is revealed from the above table that among the prospective teachers 22.80% have low, 56.40% have average and 20.80% have high level of awareness on healthy dietary habits .

Table.2. Difference between male and female prospective teachers in their awareness on healthy dietary habits.

Variable	Categories	N	Mean	SD	Calculated ‘t’ Value	Table Value	Remark
Gender	Male	133	61.71	7.41	0.80	1.96	NS
	Female	117	61.03	5.89

Interpretation of table-2.
There is no significant difference between male and female prospective teachers in their awareness on healthy dietary habits.
Figure.2.Showing the awareness on healthy dietary habits among prospective teachers in Tirunelveli District

Table.3. Difference between rural and urban prospective teachers in their awareness on healthy dietary habits.

Variable	Categories	N	Mean	SD	Calculated ‘t’ Value	Table Value	Remark
Locality	Rural	118	59.79	6.99	3.62	1.96	S
	Urban	132	62.86	6.17

Interpretation of table-3.
There is significant difference between rural and urban prospective teachers in their awareness on healthy dietary habits.
In the present study, the mean of healthy dietary habits scale value of urban prospective teachers (62.86) is greater than that of rural prospective teachers (59.79). This may be due to the fact that, urban prospective teachers involve themselves in nutrition education programs related to improving dietary habits. They organize various events related to dietary programs such as food festival, awareness campaign, and talk show on healthy diets. Their awareness towards the ill effects of junk food eating habits and soft drink consumption has been increased now- a- days. The college professors and college management insist the importance of fruits, vegetables, cereals for their healthy growth. They are given awareness about the healthy eating habits.
The urban students are well aware of dietary plans and food chart which will make them to stay healthy compare to rural students. They participate in various nutritional seminars, counselling and workshop on a regular basis to enhance their awareness and knowledge of healthy eating habits. The food guide pyramid with suitable graphics and pictures are displayed on college campus, canteen walls and corridors to enhance the healthy eating habits. This result contradicted with the study conducted by Bargiota.A.,et al.,2013. In their studies they showed family factors, peers, and family affects the food choice of Greek rural adolescents.
Table.4. Difference between girls and co-education prospective teachers in their awareness on healthy dietary habits.